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Incident
Sheriff Joel Powers was killed in an automobile accident while he and a Virginia State Trooper responded to a fight-in-progress call. The Trooper's patrol car was struck at the intersection of Route 6 and Route 600. Sheriff Powers suffered fatal injuries in the accident. Sheriff Powers had served with the Goochland County Sheriff's Office for 42 years. He was survived by his wife, four children, his mother, four sisters, and nine brothers. He is buried at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Goochland County, Virginia.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four children, his mother, four sisters, and nine brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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42 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Powers gave the Goochland County Sheriff's Office 42 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Goochland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Powers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Joel is the only officer of Goochland County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Joel is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Joel is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joel is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 5 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1970, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1970, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joel was 68. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joel had served 42 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 68. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joel had served 42 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 68. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joel had served 42 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Sundays: 12.3%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Goochland County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Goochland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.